The “Smitty Check”: A Mother’s Mission to Protect Every Soldier

awildridecalledlife
Oct 28
3 min read

There are moments in life that change you forever — moments that burn themselves into your memory so deeply that no matter how much time passes, you can still see, hear, and feel them as if they were happening right now.

For one mother, that moment came when the Secretary of the Army, Christine E. Wormuth, placed a policy document directly in her hands.

Before handing it to her, Secretary Wormuth looked her in the eyes and said words that would forever echo in her heart:

“I’m very sorry that the Army failed you and your son.”

And when she added, “Nobody checked on your son,” the grieving mother could only respond, “Ma’am, I really needed to hear you say that.”

That conversation was not just an exchange of words. It was the beginning of a new chapter — one rooted in accountability, reform, and the unrelenting love of a mother determined to make sure no other family endures what hers has.

The Story of PV2 Smith “Smitty” Smither

PV2 Smith “Smitty” Smither’s death was not just a tragedy — it was a preventable loss that exposed painful gaps in leadership, accountability, and soldier welfare. When no one else would step up to uncover the truth, his mother did.

She became her own investigator, combing through reports, files, and autopsy records no parent should ever have to see. She discovered a devastating truth — that negligence, reckless behavior, and a lack of oversight had cost her son his life.

“I had to endure reading all of the investigations, knowing that his battle buddies cared more about drinking and partying than following orders. I had to read that his roommate was spraying Febreze to cover the smell of his rotting body.”

No mother should ever have to visualize that. Yet she pushed through — not just out of grief, but out of purpose.

She worked the case like it was her full-time job, all while continuing her real one — as an educator of 22 years.

Turning Pain Into Policy

What came next was not vengeance — it was vision.Out of unimaginable loss came a mission: to create a system of accountability and human connection that could save lives.

The result? A policy now known as “The Smitty Check.”

The “Smitty Check” is a face-to-face accountability measure — a simple yet powerful concept that ensures every soldier is physically checked on, not just logged or assumed to be okay. This check has already been written into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on the House side. The next step is to ensure it remains in the bill as it moves through the Senate.

And that’s where we, as a nation, come in.

How You Can Help: Be a Hero

For years, the community has asked what they can do to help. Now, there’s a clear and urgent answer: Call your senators.

This is your moment to be a hero — not with a uniform or a medal, but with your voice and your phone. One call can make a difference in saving a life.

Here’s how:

📞 Call the Senate Armed Services Committee: 202-224-3871Ask them to support and keep “The Smitty Check” in the NDAA.

If you’re in Texas, please also reach out to:

Sen. John Cornyn: 202-224-2934
Sen. Ted Cruz: 202-224-5922

You can also contact members of the Senate Armed Services Committee such as Roger Wicker (Chair), Jack Reed (Ranking Member), Deb Fischer, Tom Cotton, Jeanne Shaheen, and Elizabeth Warren.

When you call, simply say:

“I’m calling to ask that you support keeping The Smitty Check in the National Defense Authorization Act. This is a vital face-to-face accountability measure that can save soldiers’ lives.”

It only takes a minute — but it can change everything.

A Legacy of Love and Service

This movement isn’t about politics. It’s about people. It’s about every parent who sends their child into the military believing they’ll be taken care of. It’s about every soldier who deserves to be seen, heard, and checked on — not just as a duty but as a human being.

“My students and their families deserve better. There’s no way I could be excited about any of my students or family members serving without accountability safeguards in place.”

Today, this mother continues to serve her nation — not with a weapon, but with her words and her unwavering resolve. She carries her son’s legacy forward with courage and conviction.

“It’s my honor to serve my nation in the light and footsteps of my HERO. I got your mamma’s back.”

Caleb “Smitty” Smither’s story is no longer one of loss — it’s one of purpose.And because of the “Smitty Check,” it’s one that will save countless others.